Trump agrees to more Iran talks but says ceasefire 'over', demands Strait of Hormuz statement by Saturday
US President Donald Trump declared the June 17 ceasefire with Iran ended yet agreed to continue negotiations, while Washington gave Tehran a Saturday deadline to publicly commit to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and free of attacks on commercial shipping.
Ceasefire collapses as both sides trade fire
The memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an immediate end to hostilities, the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran, and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Within 60 days it was meant to tackle Iran's nuclear programme, unfreeze Iranian assets and determine the strait's future administration. But the text was loosely worded, and competing interpretations have now derailed it.
It is so vague that everyone interpreted it differently. Now it is a negotiation under fire, with both sides trying to pressure the other.
In late June, the two countries exchanged strikes after Trump accused Iran of launching drones at container ships. This week fighting escalated sharply.
- US and Iran sign ceasefire MOU, agree to stop fighting and open Strait of Hormuz
- US and Iran exchange strikes after Trump accuses Tehran of drone attacks on container ships
- Iran attacks two commercial vessels in Strait of Hormuz
- US bombs about 170 targets in Iran; Iran retaliates on US assets across the region
- Trump declares ceasefire over on Truth Social but agrees to more talks; US demands Iranian Strait statement by Saturday
Iran attacks ships, US answers with 170 targets
Iranian forces attacked two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz this week, triggering a forceful American response. Since Tuesday the US has struck about 170 targets in Iran, according to US Central Command, hitting key port cities and a railway in the north. Iran retaliated by targeting US assets across the region. The exchanges are the most severe threat to the MOU since it was signed.
Trump, enraged by the ship attacks, told reporters at the NATO summit in Turkey that he was weighing taking over Iran's Kharg Island and questioned whether a lasting deal could be reached. On Wednesday he called Iran's leadership "scum".
Trump agrees to talks but demands a Strait statement
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump wrote that Iran "has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Hours later, senior US officials disclosed that the continuation of diplomacy hinges on a public Iranian pledge. The administration is "demanding" a statement from Tehran that the Strait of Hormuz is open, that no tolls will be imposed and that attacks on commercial ships will stop. Washington has given Iran until Saturday to voice that position in a meeting with Omani officials.
If it's not their position, then it's not going to be a great day for them.
Iran did not immediately confirm that it had asked for talks. The two sides have offered divergent accounts throughout the conflict that began on February 28.
Mediation efforts and Hormuz leverage
Qatari officials visited Iran on Friday in an effort to de-escalate tensions and create conditions for broader negotiations, possibly in Qatar or Pakistan. Meanwhile, analysts note that the Strait of Hormuz has become Iran's chief lever, its disruption sending oil prices higher and rattling global supply chains.
Trump talks loudly and has a big stick, but he doesn't have an appetite for a long regional war.
Guzansky added that Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, needs to demonstrate strength domestically and is less willing to compromise. No direct talks between Washington and Tehran have taken place since last month, and it remains unclear whether the new round of discussions will aim to restore the ceasefire or simply address the strait impasse.
